Bacillus subtilis strain and prevention of aflatoxin contamination in cereals and nuts

Abstract

A microbiological prevention of aflatoxin contamination in cereals and nuts is provided. Bacillus subtilis NK-330 and NK-C-3 effectively inhibit not only growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi including Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus but also production of aflatoxin by them.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A strain NK-330 of Bacillus subtilis accession number FERM BP-1580 or a variant thereof which is capable of inhibiting the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi as well as their production of aflatoxin. 
     
     
       2. A strain NK-C-3 of Bacillus subtilis accession number FERM BP-1581 or a variant thereof which is capable of inhibiting the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi as well as their production of aflatoxin. 
     
     
       3. A method for preventing an aflatoxin contamination of cereals and nuts comprising applying a strain of Bacillus subtilis according to either claim 1 or 2 to the cereals and nuts in an amount effective to prevent the aflatoxin contamination thereof. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the strain of Bacillus subtilis is applied before or after harvest of the cereals and nuts. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the strain of Bacillus subtilis is sprayed over and penetrated into the field on which the cereals and nuts are growing.